News

Panthers News

Rats Roundup: Dad Squad Shines, Matheson takes NY

Everything you may have missed this week in Panthers content

by
Kyle Morrison
/ FloridaPanthers.com

Kickstarter idea: Get the #DadSquad on every road trip the rest of the way.

The Panthers invited the players' fathers along on the previous road trip, which they swept with a 3-0 win in New Jersey and a 2-1 win the other night at Barclays Center. Don't look now, but the Cats have won their last four road games.

The Panthers hope to parlay that success into wins on home ice tonight and tomorrow. But before we look forward, let's take a look back at an eventful week in Cats content!

Trocheck named an All-Star

Vincent Trocheck has become a key cog in Tom Rowe's lineup this season - leading the team's forwards with 21:35 average TOI and 120 shots on goal - and his effort was rewarded this week, as he was named an NHL All-Star.

The 23-year-old Pittsburgh native has 12 goals in 43 games for the Cats this year, which ties him for the team lead. He's also come through at big moments - with an overtime goal and two game-deciding shootout goals.

The trip wasn't just about signing jerseys and check out merchandise, though. He also swung by the NHL's league offices to learn more about the NHL/NHLPA's Core Development Program, which aims to set players up for life after hockey.

Matheson graduated from Boston College with a degree in psychology, and he intends to use that to help hockey players after his playing days are done.

"I've always thought of staying in hockey (when I retire) and using psychology with hockey," Matheson said. "I find it interesting that everyone talks so much about how it's such a mental game. We spend so much time and effort on training our body and never really on the mental side of the game. I think I'd like to take my degree and keep it involved in hockey."